2025 Book Flops

Now we are big readers here at Luna, with the amount of reading over 60 books last year we have gone through and picked a few flops that we didn't particularly enjoy as much as we thought. 

Haven't They Grown, Sophie Hannah 

Rating: 3 stars 

When going on a side mission to sneak up on an old friend it all goes wrong. She hasn't seen her for 12 years. When she parks outside her house the most unexpected revelation appears. Her children look the same but the mother looks different. Why have they not aged? They are still five and three. 

I had this on my shelf for a good couple of years. And was constantly reminded by that ha. I was always wanting to read it and one day I took the plunge. I had heard so many good things about Sophie Hannah as a writer which I am yet to read more.  For myself this just became too long. The only thing going for me was the way it was going to lead. Was it going to be psychological or science fiction? I do feel my own expectations were a bit too high and my mind went elsewhere. I felt there could have been more from such a good storyline running though. 

Magnolia Parks, Jessa Hastings

Rating: 2 stars

Magnolia and BJ are meant to be but he is just the bad boy that has broken her heart. She dates others whilst he sleeps with others to get back at her. Despite all of this they always seem to find a way back to each other. When cracks appear, lies begin to creep out and only leads to a question they've both been avoiding. But like they say, how many loves do you get in a lifetime?

If you have read Luna’s book review already, I apologize to repeat. I had heard so many good things about not only this book but the entire collection. For myself this was a book club pick. Initially I thought this would be a win for me with the bad boy and good girl trope. It felt like constant repetition, why I thought the ending would change I don’t know. I don’t know if I have matured or this going back and forth was just boring. I didn't connect with any of the characters so I felt the major plot twists didn't have the effect they should have. 

Haunting Adeline, H.D. Carlton

Rating: DNF

When the writer moves into her late grandmother's mansion she discovers an obsessive stalker. From stalking and an investigation into her great grandmother's murder a relationship is formed. And it is not only intense but toxic too.

This book unfortunately could not be finished. Looking back I feel I could try again but I am not sure, am I missing something? I couldn't help but become frustrated and uninterested at the same time. I enjoyed the parts of history being explored and investigated with the murder of her great grandmother but when it came to the stalker part I became cringed out. I had to skip a few pages.I don't expect books to be realistic at any point but it did seem ridiculous at times. 

Motherthing, Ainslie Hogarth  

Rating: 3 stars

When a wife moves in with her mother in law, Abby feels she needs this as a way to connect. She needs a mother figure especially seen as she is trying herself. She has so much love to give. But it is not reciprocated from her mother in law and they become hellish to each other. Then her mother in law takes her life only leaving her to haunt the couple in her own special way. 

I loved the concept of this plot even up until now but when I look back to when I read it, I found myself confused a lot of the time. There were so many events that happened and I didn't know if it was real or not. The biggest thing for myself was feeling like there was deeper meaning to this book that didn't come across to me and felt at the end I just had to make my own mind up. 

Intermezzo, Sally Rooney

Rating: DNF

When two brothers have one thing in common which is losing a parent it only makes them realse how different they actually are. Peter, a lawyer in his thirties, successful but medicating himself to get over the grief and struggling to manage any relationships. Then Ivan, in his twenties and an avid chess player, the awkward one and a loner. 

I felt I really tried with this book. I am a lover of Sally Rooney books. I was so excited to read and couldn't believe I couldn't finish it. I couldn't face the boredom of thinking when is the next chapter or how much I had left. It felt like there was no end to it and it was constant moaning and complexity that wasn't needed. I am hopeful for other books she will release but personally this was one I wouldn’t recommend. 

Sex and the City, Candace Bushell 

Rating: 3 stars

Here are essays of a column all around love, sex and relationships. With an introduction to Carrie Bradshaw who is always at the freshest parties and bars whilst looking for love in all the wrong places. 

This book was a strange one for me. My initial reaction to finishing it was “how did they create such an amazing show from this one book?” Now I am aware that a lot of what was added to the show wasn't in the books or films but it felt disheartening. I am a huge lover of the show and have watched way too many times. So I did have high expectations for the book, maybe a Bradshaw fix? It felt conflicting and confusing at times and was written as updates to what was happening in New York, not a story.